The Fabulous Five: In high school, the five of us made a vow: no matter what life threw our way, every five years we’d reunite somewhere in the world. We called ourselves “The Fabulous Five,” and staying true to that promise became a cornerstone of our friendship. Through marriages, babies, pets, and careers, we’ve always prioritized our time together.
As our families grew and life evolved, those five-year reunions turned into annual Fabulous Five adventures—something we all look forward to each year. I love these women deeply. They are my anchors, my cheerleaders, and my partners-in-fun.
This past year, our Fabulous Five adventure took us to Seattle, the home base of one of our own. It was a weekend overflowing with music, art, markets, and, of course, wine. One highlight of the trip was venturing to Woodinville, where we spent an afternoon tasting the best of Washington’s wines. Between sips and stories, we soaked in the memories and created new ones.
These trips are more than just a getaway—they’re a celebration of the bond we’ve nurtured over the years. The Fabulous Five isn’t just a name; it’s a lifelong sisterhood.
It was an especially exciting time to be in Woodinville. The grape harvest was in full swing, and we watched pallets of freshly picked grapes arriving at the wineries. Not only did we enjoy sampling incredible wines and meeting passionate winemakers, but we also got a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the winemaking process.
One winemaker who left a lasting impression was Mari Womack, owner of Damsel Cellars. As she says, “Not all damsels are in distress!” Mari’s journey into winemaking was anything but typical. She worked in tasting rooms and dabbled in real estate, landscaping, horticulture and hospitality before discovering her true calling in wine. Her passion for the craft is contagious—and as she reminded us, “Without passion, wine doesn’t exist.”
Mari’s wines are inspired by Greek mythology, each one celebrating powerful goddesses and mythical figures:
- Persephone, a Pinot Gris, is named for the goddess of spring and rebirth. It’s a lighter, brighter wine perfect for warmer days.
- The Fates, a blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, is named after the three sisters who control destiny. It’s a bold, harmonious wine and absolutely fabulous.
- The Furies, a “left-bank Bordeaux-style” red, is named for the avenging angels/goddesses of justice. It’s intense and complex, much like the stories of the deities themselves.
- Medusa, a Syrah, captures both beast and beauty in a single sip—much like the mythological figure who could stop anyone in their tracks.
Each of Mari’s wines tell a story. Her passion has earned her a fiercely loyal following, and her wine club is capped at just 50 members.
Mari and her team at Damsel Cellars always name the “pick” and introduced us to Eliza (Doolittle). Describing the 2024 vintage, Mari says she may be rough but her spirit is defiant and independent—and she’ll be wonderful. I love it already and standing by to see how it evolves!
Right next door to Damsel Cellars is Kevin White Winery. The winemaker himself graciously invited us in, sharing fascinating insights about the diverse Washington wine regions, and giving us a taste of some of the freshly picked grapes and his wines. We wished we could have stayed longer but we picked up a few bottles to enjoy for the weekend.
Next up was Mark Ryan Wines, a legend in Washington wines and, for me, a must-stop on our wine-tasting tour. If you follow @mywineplaylist on Instagram you will know that I am a huge fan of Mark Ryan wines, sharing my favourites and the stories behind them. Unfortunately, due to a series of unfortunate events—including an early closing for a private event—our experience there didn’t go quite as planned. Determined not to miss out completely, I purchased a few bottles to enjoy over the weekend with my friends and brought a couple of bottles home to Canada. The wine was exceptional, and I’m already looking forward to revisiting Mark Ryan’s tasting room someday soon for the full experience.
Another standout stop was DeLille Cellars, where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch in their restaurant with our lovely server, Nicole, who hails from Hawaii. DeLille pioneered some of the first Bordeaux-style wines in the Washington area, and their reputation is well-deserved. The combination of exceptional wine, delicious food, and the warm hospitality made our visit unforgettable.
An afternoon of wine tasting was just a part of a wonderful weekend filled with unforgettable moments which is what makes our Fabulous Five adventures so special: new experiences, deepening connections, laughter and tears, and the pure joy of celebrating life with the people you love most.
My Wine Playlist 